Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is dedicated to promoting health equity and eliminating systemic barriers while advancing the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) to improve health outcomes for individuals, communities, providers and organizations.

The Academy recognizes and respects differences in ability, age, creed, culture, education, ethnicity and race, gender, gender identity, geographic region, language, lived experiences, mental health, military experience, national origin, physical appearance, political affiliation, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic characteristics, values, work experiences and all types of diversity in the nutrition and dietetics profession.

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Diversity and Inclusion in Nutrition and Dietetics

This is a video compilation of clips from interviews with thirteen Academy members from different backgrounds sharing their perspectives and experiences as they answer the question, “Why is diversity and inclusion important in dietetics?” A large-font transcript (pdf) and audio description (.mp3) are also available.

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Students: What Practitioners Can Do to Help Support the Next Generation

Being a mentor or preceptor... sharing resources... donating to scholarship funds... inspiring others through positive engagement... There are many ways to help nutrition and dietetics students.

Aacdemy member Long Wand speaking to camera

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Making Change Happen

Academy members share why the profession is stronger when it includes people from various background and different abilities.

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Representation Benefits the Public and the Profession

Five Academy members share how communities most impacted by chronic diseases can benefit from nutrition and dietetics practitioners who look like them.

Academy Member Alicia Conner speaking to camera

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Impactful Moments: The Power of Inclusion

Learn about visible and invisible disabilities, as well as important considerations when working with or alongside individuals with disabilities.

Please note: This page includes an extensive collection of stories, resources and updates; however, some of the content pieces are member benefits that require your Academy login to access.

Stories and Spotlights

Equity and Iniquity: The Inedible Portions of Our Food

Teresa Turner, MS, RD, LDN, SNS, FAND, shares her journey toward becoming an dietitian and her experiences in the world and our profession.

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Food is More than Fuel: Celebrating my Filipino Culture

Being born and raised in Michigan, in the suburbs of Detroit, by strong, smart and "old-school" Filipino parents was a unique, messy and, in hindsight, beautiful experience.

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What it Means to be a Disabled Latina and Future RDN

Juliana Tamayo lives with Crohn's disease, lupus and Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and relies on a feeding tube for her daily nutrition. Learn why she wants to become a dietitian and read about her experience as a future RDN.

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My Experience as a Black RDN in a White Dominated Field

Jasmine Westbrooks, MS, RD,LDN, shares her journey toward becoming an RDN and her experiences in dietetics as a person of color.

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Confronting Challenges and Institutional Hierarchies as a Black Future RDN

Ashley Berthoumieux describes how her passion for health care occasionally morphed into disappointment over racial disparities in nutrition, but she remains hopeful and encouraged by allies. Learn more about her experience and struggles as a Black future RDN.

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Honoring My Multicultural Heritage Through Food

Sports dietitian Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, was raised in a household with a blend of Iranian and Austrian heritages — an upbringing that encompassed a rich tapestry of cultures. This combined with her experiences of feeling distinct from her peers significantly influences her approach towards her patients.

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On Being the First

Luis Gonzalez, MS, RDN, shares his experience making his way as a Cuban-American dietitian after discovering a lack of diversity in the profession — and he offers suggestions to make it an easier road for others.

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A Step Back and a Leap Forward

Sheetal Parikh, MS, RDN, LDN, shares her journey as a PhD student from India with the dream of earning the registered dietitian nutritionist credential in the United States.

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My Story as a First-Generation Latina Dietitian

Su-Nui Escobar, DCN, RDN, FAND, found strength in her culture and used her unique experiences to forge a successful career in dietetics.

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The Challenges of Becoming an RDN Today

Krystal George, MPH, shares her experiences and insights as a graduate from an Historically Black College and University earning her master's and pursuing her RDN credential.

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My Journey to Becoming an RDN

Qula Madkin, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES, shares her experiences becoming a dietitian and how a lack of diversity means nutrition programs and low-income areas don’t have RDs who mirror the communities they serve.

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The Importance of Representation

Alabama-based dietitian Andrea Mathis, MA, RDN, LD, shares her journey toward becoming an RDN and explains why we must check our own biases and replace stereotypical thinking with openness and a willingness to learn from others who may look different from us.

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Diversity and Inclusion Resources

IDEA Action Plan

The Academy's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Action Plan is a sustainable, living document designed to move the dietetics profession towards an increasingly welcome and inclusive future. The plan's goals and strategies were carefully developed from member and professional feedback gathered from listening sessions, stakeholder communications, and representatives of Academy organizational units and groups, as well as from benchmarking with other healthcare organizations. Tactics and metrics have been developed for each strategy, and outcomes from the initiatives will be measured and the plan modified accordingly over time to ensure continuous positive change.

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GLOSSARY

IDEA Definitions and Guidance for Appropriate Terminology

Using respectful terminology promotes inclusivity, understanding and dignity; acknowledges identities, history and experiences; and fosters a more equitable and harmonious society.

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Illustration of people from diverse backgrounds

INTERACTIVE SERIES

Advancing IDEA Training for Academy Leaders

This activity provides tools and resources that leaders in nutrition and dietetics can use to create meaningful, effective action plans that will advance the Academy’s IDEA impact goals.

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JOURNAL COLLECTION

Cultural Competency and Diversity

This collection explores research and insights on fostering inclusivity and understanding in nutrition and dietetics, promoting cultural sensitivity and effective communication.

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OPPORTUNITIES

Member Interest Groups

MIGs are groups of the Academy members who have common interests, issues or backgrounds, reflecting the many characteristics of the Academy's members and the public it serves.

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Additional Resources

Eat Well, Live Well, Be Well Toolkit (Academy/NOBIDAN and National Baptist Convention USA)
NDEP Preceptor Resource Toolkit
Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities and Chronic Disease Issue Brief
Cultivating Health Equity in Dietetics

ACEND Resources

ACEND Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources

Foundation Awards and Scholarships

Member Interest Groups

MIGs are groups of Academy members that reflect the many characteristics of the profession and the public it serves. Academy MIGs include:

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI)
Cultures of Gender and Age (COGA)
Disabilities in Nutrition and Dietetics (Disabilities)
Global MIG (GMIG)
Indians in Nutrition and Dietetics (IND)
Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition (LAHIDAN)
National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition (NOBIDAN)
Religion MIG (RMIG)

Books & Subscriptions

Nutrition Care Manual^®: Quick Guides for Assessing Food/Nutrition and Culture for Ecuador, India, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia are available with a subscription
Cultural Competency for Nutrition Professionals: This online publication provides an overview of 28 cultures and their food practices with the goal of supporting appropriate health care for serving diverse patient populations.
Culture, Foodways and Counseling: A Guide to Culturally Sensitive Nutrition Care in the United States, 2nd Ed.: Available in February 2025, this book provides culture- or religion-specific counseling strategies and considerations. The latest edition can help readers apply principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and access to nutrition and health counseling and care.

Resources From Other Organizations

Advancing Health Equity: A Guide to Language, Narrative and Concepts (American Medical Association)
Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity: A CHF Member Perspective (Coalition for Health Funding)
How to Create a DEI Committee So More Voices Can Be Heard (University of Southern California)
AMA: Use of BMI alone is an imperfect clinical measure (American Medical Association)
Cultural and Linguistic Competence Health Practitioner Assessment (CLCHPA) (Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence)
Implicit Association Test (IAT) (Harvard University)

Featured Webinars

Fireside Chat: An Unfiltered Discussion on Diversity

FNCE^® 2022 Sessions

Join an expert panel of IDEA champions representing the joint MIGs of the Academy for a fireside chat, where attendees will have an opportunity to directly engage with IDEA stakeholders for an interactive, unfiltered discussion.

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Building Inclusive Leadership Skills to Advance Equity at Any Level

FNCE^® 2022 Sessions

In this session, learn why and how to lead in a way that centers equity, prioritizes inclusion, and advances diversity in our field.

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Cultural Sensitivity: Moving Beyond Awareness to Provide Inclusive and Equitable Care

FNCE^® 2022 Sessions

This session aims to move beyond increased knowledge and awareness by demonstrating practical ways to prioritize health equity in the language we use, the policies we implement, and the practices we adopt as nutrition professionals.

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Nutrition Counseling for Individuals with Disabilities: Tactics from the Trenches

FNCE^® 2022 Sessions

This panel session enables practitioners without disabilities to establish better rapport with and achieve more successful nutrition and health outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

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Can You Hear Me? Diabetes, Nutrition Education, and Hearing Loss

FNCE^® 2022 Sessions

This session will identify the impact of hearing loss on the quality of life of a person living with prediabetes, diabetes and other co-morbid conditions.

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Toward More Equitable Human Lactation Science: The BEGIN Project

Webinars

Join this webinar to learn about the Breastmilk Ecology: Genesis of Infant Nutrition: BEGIN Project and the importance of ethical and equitable research in human lactation. Discover how a translational research framework can be applied to address gaps in human milk research and promote safe and effective infant feeding practices.

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News and Updates

Embedding IDEA through Cultural Transformation

The Academy and its IDEA Committee will focus on these objectives over the next three years. Learn more about how the Academy will create a more inclusive and equitable organization that reflects the shared values of its community.

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IDEA Action Plan Progress Report - June 2023

The Academy’s work in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access focuses on continued and expanded IDEA consideration at every level — cultivating organizational and professional values of equity, respect, civility and anti-discrimination.

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Expanded Demographic Options Available to Members

Member profiles in the MyAcademy area of eatrightPRO now have expanded gender options.

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Diversity and Inclusion Committee Update: Consultation and Collaboration

Diversity and Inclusion Committee is working with numerous Academy groups and organizational units on the holistic implementation of diversity and inclusion efforts throughout the organization.

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Join the Academy

Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics receive exciting benefits including complimentary continuing professional education opportunities, discounts on events and products in eatrightSTORE.org, invitations to exclusive members-only events and more!